Steelers’ DE Cam Heyward on social distancing in football: ‘It’s a slippery slope’

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers defensive captain Cam Heyward spoke out on a number of subjects Thursday, from playing in the COVID-19 era, to social justice, to contracts, to his father’s induction in the Pittsburgh Hall of Fame.

Heyward spoke to the media coincidentally on the heels of a statement from Dr. Anthony Fauci, saying that the NFL could only work if players are “in a bubble.” That’s a reference to how the NBA is trying to keep all of the teams in one city.

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Heyward is intrigued by what the NBA is doing, saying, “I think it’s hard because we have more players and more coaches. I think I was reading each team was traveling with 37 people. We have 53 guys on our roster. Then think about our practice squad. Then think about our coaches. Then how the traveling takes place. I don’t know if you can keep roughly 75 people from each team and adding a bunch of teams along with it. I don’t know how it would look. It’s a great idea, the bubble, and I’m excited to see what the NBA does with it. I hope we cross every avenue to see what’s the safest, healthiest way to play football.”

Channel 11′s Alby Oxenreiter asked Heyward directly if he believes the Hall of Fame game between the Steelers and Cowboys will be played on Aug. 6 in Canton, Ohio. Heyward did not give the impression that the game will happen.

“I honestly think, and it’s just my point of view, but I think the Hall of Fame game is probably out,” said Heyward. “We talk so much about safety, and why would we want to expose two teams to an extra game a week early?”

Heyward has a few concerns. One of those is that he has asthma, which could put him at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19. “Obviously, having asthma and being a bigger guy, but I understand the risks, and I’m gonna take all the precautions. But I have to see it in writing if everybody else is taking the precautions,” said Heyward. “I know the NFLPA and NFL have been working on this for a while, but there’s so many different parts that have to be cleared before me and my family are comfortable with me playing.”

Heyward also acknowledges that it’s difficult to keep social distancing in the game of football.

“It’s a slippery slope because I feel like so much of football is contact, especially in the trenches, guys literally going at each other every single play,” he said. “I know there’s been talk about different helmets, and I would love for that to be the end-all, but there’s a lot of moving parts. Football is going to have to change a lot. I heard someone say before it’s not like COVID needs to bend to football — football’s got to bend to COVID, and we’re going to have to make some sacrifices and changes to our game to make sure this is even possible and to make sure our players are healthy.”

On social justice, Heyward said it’s time for players to speak their minds. He also doesn’t like how the narrative was framed around the Steelers in 2017 when every player, except Alejandro Villanueva, was in the tunnel for the national anthem.

“The thing that ticks me off about that … what we were trying to do was remain out of the spotlight, and it got turned upside down,” said Heyward. “To know that we were looked at as leading one of our brothers out and leaving Al out to dry when really we got separated by a Play 60 flag that was coming through, and by the time the national anthem started, we were separated. It was never meant for us to ostracize a player.”

Heyward said he would like to have a new contract done, but he’s at peace with going into this season with the possibility that it could be his last wearing the black and gold. And even if the team has to play without fans, he knows the team will still have all of the support it needs.

“I guess we’re just gonna be playing Renegade through the entire game,” said Heyward.

Heyward also talked about his father, the late Craig Ironhead Heyward of Pittsburgh’s Hall. Craig Heyward is being inducted into this year’s Pittsburgh Hall of Fame class. And he’s on the ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame.

“To see the lasting imprint he’s had and to be mentioned with so many greats that deserve to be honored, it’s amazing,” he said. “I think he’s going in with Pop Warner in the Pitt Hall of Fame, which is awesome. I never thought my dad would be right next to Pop Warner in being awarded something. Then you look at the College Football Hall of Fame if he gets in — what a year it would be to honor my dad.”

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